I would like to put wire wheels on my 1939 Ford Truck with the original wide 5 pattern. Preferably 16 wheels so the tires I have would fit. Could anyone point me in the right direction, and give me some pointers on how to ID them on the fly at a swap meet?
A wire wheel will not fit onto a '39 "wide 5" hub, you can easily swap to a 40-48 hub/drum and use support rings to bolt on '35 wire wheels...
These are original wide five's I believe will have to check. On donor frame with Hydraulic brakes I believe they have a newer pattern. I will have to check tonight. SUHRsc I think 35s are what I am looking for how do I ID Them? I assume they have a certain width and bolt pattern?
My donor chassis has 5x51/2 on it was planning on swapping over backing plates because they are hydraulic that should remedy my issue. Confirming the 35 wheels are 5x51/2?
By "backing plates", do you mean the circular disk that is used to shim the difference in height between the lug holes and the kidney-bean shaped indents? Not to hijack, but I'm asking because I recently picked up a set of 16" wires, and am wondering what I need to do to mount them to my 40-48 juice brakes/hubs. They bolt up fine (5 on 5-1/2) but I've read about the required disk/spacer thing. That's for the front. I'm wondering how best to mount them to a late model rear axle.
You need a spacer ring to bolt early ford wires to 40-48 drums...but the general rule of thumb is that you would upgrade with later wheels...not the other way around. 35 wires don't belong on anything newer than 1935. Just my 2 cents. Neal
If they are original wide fives they will look something like this: They're really pretty damn distinctive as you can see. The wheel lug holes are almost all the way out to the rims. Frankly, if your hubs are set up to use wheels like those I don't think you'll find wire wheels to fit without changing your hubs/brake drums. (I may be wrong about that, however, and if I am I expect somebody else will be along shortly to correct me. )
Swapping your hubs and drums for '40-'48 hubs/drums will get you the right bolt pattern. '35 was the only year that Ford had a 16" wire wheel, and they were all 4" width for a 6.00x16 tire (6.50x16 optional on pickups and panels). Cars and 1/2 ton pickups/panels used the same wheels. '32 wheels are 18", and '33-'34 had 17" wheels.
Antny, When I was referring to the backing plates. I meant the flat metal piece that the wheel cylinder mounted to.
shmoozo, yes my 38 has wide 5's on it, but my donor chassis must be a 40 because it has 5x51/2 on it and hydraulic brakes. I think I am going to swap these assy. over.
I have visuals of wheel now. How do the wheels measure as far as diameter? And above was posted 4" width. Thanks.